Signal transduction activated by the cancer chemopreventive isothiocyanates: cleavage of BID protein, tyrosine phosphorylation and activation of JNK
2001
Isothiocyanates and Apoptosis in Leukaemia Cells
publication
Author Information
Author(s): Xu K, Thornalley P J
Primary Institution: Department of Biological Sciences, University of Essex
Hypothesis
Isothiocyanates induce apoptosis in human leukaemia HL60 cells through specific protein cleavage and activation pathways.
Conclusion
Isothiocyanates can induce apoptosis in leukaemia cells by activating certain proteins and pathways.
Supporting Evidence
- Isothiocyanates induce apoptosis of human leukaemia HL60 cells in vitro.
- Apoptosis was associated with cleavage of p22 BID protein and activation of JNK.
- Exogenous glutathione prevented the effects and apoptosis.
- The general caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-fmk prevented apoptosis but not JNK activation.
- Curcumin delayed apoptosis but prevented JNK activation.
Takeaway
Certain compounds from plants can help kill cancer cells by making them break apart. This process involves some special proteins that help the cells die.
Methodology
The study examined the effects of phenethyl isothiocyanate and allyl isothiocyanate on HL60 leukaemia cells in vitro.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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